ICYMI: What's Happening Around the Industry

Welcome to our weekly roundup of noteworthy outdoorsy headlines. We’ve combed the social networks and scoured the news outlets to curate some of the most relevant and most intriguing stories out there. Read. Enjoy. Share.

May 9, 2017

May 2 –May 9, 2017

Infographic created by Field and Stream. Click to open in new window.

I’ma Let You Finish, But This Right Here Might Be The Best Public Lands Article of all Time

We’ll let you be the judge of that, but there’s no denying that this in-depth article from Field and Stream is one of the most powerful pieces of public lands journalism we’ve seen this year. Not only does it remind us that sportsmen and outdoor recreationalists must join forces for our joint values, it’s also packed with infographics, statistics, heartfelt anecdotes and a moving call to action. If we had it our way, every outdoorist would read it (hint, hint). Check it, tweet it, text it to everyone you know. And remember: “This is your fight if public land anywhere, of any size, matters to you. This is the time to draw the line in the very dirt you own.”

Robert Redford Throws Down for Bears Ears

He was The Natural, Roy Hobbs. He was the Downhill Racer. Heck, he was A River Runs Through It. But the role we’ll remember Robert Redford for? Outdoorist. The actor, director, dreamboat and public lands advocate took a break from the big screen to pen this Salt Lake Tribute op-ed urging federal and state leadership to protect Bears Ears. Fun fact: Redford is a Utah resident and trustee of the National Resources Defense Council. In his own words, “I believe Bears Ears National Monument will prove itself to be one of the most deserving Antiquities Act designations in our nation’s history.” Right on, Redford.

Amy Roberts Throws Down, Too

Amy Roberts may not have an Oscar, but when she talks about public lands and the outdoor industry, people listen. Like Redford, OIA’s executive director also recently wrote an op-ed for the Salt Lake Tribute. In her piece, Roberts describes the pivotal moment we’ve reached in American history and urges Zinke to remember “that our national monuments are already the people’s lands and that he consider the full and positive impact they have on the overall physical and economic health of our nation.”

So, You Want To Save the World?

And by you, we mean your company. And by your company, we mean its board of directors. You’d think jumping on the environmental train would be an easy move, but sometimes convincing corporate to build corporate responsibility into your business strategy feels like getting your kids to eat vegetables. If you want to get your board onboard with sustainability, check out these three impactful tips from GreenBiz. An even better place to start for outdoor brands? Our sustainability hub.

Regulators, Mount Up

You could believe everything you hear about regulations, about how they’re always bad for business, about the burdens they impose on commerce and about the jobs they kill. But consider this: Without regulations, we wouldn’t have clean air and water. And without clean air and water, we wouldn’t have recreation. And without recreation, we wouldn’t have 7.6 million American jobs and $887 billion in consumer spending. Regulations aren’t the enemy.

This morning, in a 51 to 49 vote, the U.S. Senate appears to have taken that point under advisement when they chose not to use the Congressional Review Act to strip away important environmental regulations. And good on ’em. By keeping the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) Methane and Waste Prevention Rule in place, energy companies operating on BLM land are required to capture methane—a greenhouse gas byproduct of oil and gas drilling that is much more potent than carbon dioxide—rather than releasing it into the air. If you, like us, applaud Senate’s decision, you should take a moment to thank Republican Senators Susan Collins, John McCain and Lindsey Graham who joined their Democratic colleagues in today’s vote.

Know Before You Go In Ohio

Ever wish you could get a quick glimpse at a trail or park before you haul all the way there to check it out? If you live in or visit Ohio, you can, thanks to Google Maps. A project, which you can read about here, documenting Dayton, Ohio’s parks and trails was brought to life through a collaborative effort with local outdoor groups like Five Rivers MetroParks, Outdoor Adventure Connection, and the Dayton Hikers. It captures trails used by hikers, mountain bikers, and paddlers.

Admit It, You’re a Gear Hoarder. You Need Professional Help.

Has your gear closet gone from organized to overflowing? It’s okay to admit that you have a problem. Most of us do. Whether you look at it as clearing out the old or making room for the new Bivvy’s got you covered. The new marketplace allows users to sell and buy used outdoor gear, giving equipment and apparel a longer lifecycle. The Los Angeles-based organization is launching in the outdoor mecca of Seattle first before spreading to the rest of the country. Read more about Bivvy’s online marketplace here.

On Outdoorist Opposite Day, This Happened:

We can only make sense of this headline by assuming we missed the Opposite Day memo: “National monuments harm the economy, Utah public lands official tells Congress.” Say what? Sounds like someone needs to brush up on their outdoor recreation economy stats. File this one under oy vey.

But don’t worry, outdoor brands and OIA members like REI, The North Face, and Patagonia are coming together to fight for the future of our public lands. Read about it here.

As Trump Steps Backward, Tennessee Steps Up

Looks like the South is also celebrating Opposite Day. Or is it Opposition Day? While the Trump administration considers undoing protections for our nation’s public lands, Tennessee is swimming upstream to support its wilderness areas. Two Republican senators re-introduced the Tennessee Wilderness Act (S.973), which aims to protect 20,000 acres of land in Cherokee National Forest. Read more about it here, then tweet Sens. Lamar Alexander and Bob Corker with kudos for their outdoorist attitude.

Eyes On Idaho

In yet another reminder that the outdoors is a bipartisan issue, this article from The Christian Science Monitor explains why Idahoans of all stripes think state takeover is no bueno. With storytelling through the perspective of Republican ranchers and conservative Western lawmakers, the piece notes that resisting the public lands takeover isn’t just for liberal tree-huggers, it’s a stance that folks who vote red should support too. Need more proof? The chairs of our congressional Outdoor Recreation Caucuses hail from Idaho as well (Senator Risch and Congressman Simpson).

Want more from the industry? Check out last week’s ICYMI and tweet us with your finds for the top outdoor stories for next week’s edition.